36 dead, 13 injured in NW China road accident
Long-distance buses are a common mode of budget transport , particularly for migrant workers and people on low incomes. The coach was from the big city of Chengdu and headed for Luoyang, said the official news agency, citing local police.

O'Reilly test-drives online video show as comeback
O'Reilly has never appeared on CNN but has selected a friendly anchor to speak with for his first interview with the network. For years, O'Reilly has recorded his " No Spin News " podcast in addition to his hosting gig at Fox News.

Chelsea Manning photographed for Vogue
Nobody directed me to do this. "I stopped seeing just statistics and information, and I started seeing people". The article details Manning's life in the army and after she was sentenced to more than 20 years in prison.

Boyo Transportation school buses pass re-inspection
When possible, Allison said sheriff's deputies also patrol behind the buses transporting students to and from their destination. Children face their greatest risk when they walk up to or leave a school bus.

Ministerial meeting of BIMSTEC kick-starts in Kathmandu
The visiting Indian minister is also scheduled to meet Nepal President Bidhya Devi Bhandrai, opposition leader K.P. The 18th Session of the BIMSTEC senior officials' meeting kicked off in the capital on Thursday morning.

Why you should never put your feet on the dashboard
She says she is hoping to spread the word to raise funds for billboards warning of the danger on major roadways. At the time of the crash, Audra wasn't wearing a seat belt and was resting her foot up against the dashboard.

Korea tension triggers run to safety; stocks off, gold up
Heightened geopolitical tension remained a drag on global equity markets, with havens assets from the yen to gold in demand. The Shanghai Composite Index lost 0.2 per cent to 3,275.57 and Hong Kong's Hang Seng was off 0.3 per cent at 27,757.09.

Orangutan with sign language skills dies at Atlanta zoo
According to experts, Sumatran orangutans will likely be extinct within the next 10 years unless conservation efforts continue. He was transferred to the Atlanta Zoo in 1997 and often used sign language to communicate with the guard.

Billion pound deal to change West Midlands rail operator

The company is a joint venture between Dutch firm Abellio and Japanese partners, and will take over services in December, with trains running through Watford serving Bushey, Harrow and Euston, as well as the St Albans Abbey line.

West Midlands Rail will have lead the contract management of the services in the West Midlands business unit.

The Department for Transport said the decision would mean £1bn invested in services and that passengers would see new, longer trains, free Wi-Fi on all mainline services and compensation if services are delayed by more than 15 minutes.

"We are improving the whole travelling experience with live train crowding information, compensation for people delayed by 15 minutes or more, smart ticketing and better value tickets for part-time workers".

There will be 400 new carriages rolled out by 2021 and space for an extra 85,000 passengers on rush-hour services in Birmingham and London, according to the department.

"This shows we are delivering on our commitment to build a railway that works for everyone".

"West Midlands Trains will also conduct feasibility studies into the opening of new stations in the West Midlands and I will be pressing for the opening of the Line from Lichfield Trent Valley to Burton for passenger traffic and the construction of a station at Alrewas to serve the National Memorial Arboretum and village of Alrewas". The West Midlands network of trains and infrastructure will be run by a local team.

The routes between London, the West Midlands and Liverpool are set to receive an investment of nearly £1 billion, said the Department for Transport.

It has also pledged to provide better access to stations for disabled people, and more modern trains that will be able to cope more effectively with leaves on the line during the autumn.

Furthermore, around £60m will be invested on station improvements across the area, including 1,000 new vehicle parking spaces, 2,500 cycle spaces, a cycle hire scheme, new and refurbished waiting rooms, more seats at stations and improved access for those with mobility problems.

The franchise now operates over 1,300 services every weekday and serves 170 stations (directly managing 145), and is now operated by London Midland, owned by Govia - a partnership between Go-Ahead (65%) and Keolis (35%).

The DfT said longer trains would provide extra seats and space for passengers. We pressed for these passenger issues to be addressed in the new franchise'.

New and refurbished train carriages creating more space for people, especially during rush hour.

"Having the ability to use our local knowledge and understanding to shape what West Midlands Trains will deliver for passengers under this franchise has also been a game changer".